I Love Disney #2

I needed to do another post of my favourite Disney films and its been ages since I did one, and its about time I did one. So let's begin!

Princess And The Frog

This is a weird one as its not one people usually say is their favourite and went it came out, noone was going crazy over it, like they were for Frozen. But I love this film I love Tiana she is so independent and strong, and the fact that she's a waitress and I used to be a waitress makes me like her even more. The song 'Almost There' is just the best, the time period its set in, the whole 1920s New Orleans style is just beautiful. I even like Charlotte and I know she's got an annoying personality, but she's funny and totally harmless. 

                                                              

Fox And The Hound

Any animal film for me is a win, especially this one as the story is just the best and the fact that the story is taken from a Romeo & Juliet sense but its not romantic, its just two best friends who shouldn't be friends is just the best. It proves that Disney can do alot of things other than just romance, but its fantastic. The voice cast is the best, and music, animation just everything.  

                                                         
Hunchback Of Notre Dame

I was debating to myself whether to write a full post on this or not, but I need to talk about this film as its so beautiful. The music is stunning, 'Out There' 'God Help The Outcasts' its just so beautiful and fits so well with the film and characters. Frollo the film's Antagonist is actually understandable as he is worried because Quasimodo does look abit different, Frollo doesn't want anyone to be horrible to him and protect him. As this film shows sometimes its good to set out of your comfort zone as you never know who'll accept you.

                                                        
Frozen

I love this film so much, but I'm not gonna do a full post review on it as I like it, but I'm not obsessed. 'Let It Go' is one of the best songs Disney has ever done, not even just Disney just one of the best songs ever written as its so powerful and strong. I'd like to reinforce something which has annoyed me slightly since this film came out, its that people say that this is the first Disney film that shows you don't need a man, Mulan, Pocahontas, Merida need I go on? This film really is amazing, its not the best ever made but it is good and you'll enjoy it.

                                                               
Hercules

Don't you mean Hunkcules? Love this film so much, the music everything about this is just so good. Hades is the best he is so funny, and witty and I think its one of the reasons as to why I love it so much, the bad guy has a sense of humour. 'Go The Distance' and the whole Gospel Choir is so good they make the film so brilliant. Along with Danny Devito as Phil is perfect casting and just so witty. I don't know one person who doesn't like this film or the music and the characters.

                                                             
Anyway I will speak to you all later and have a great day wherever you are! The next review will be slightly different cus I like to mix it up abit.

Peppermint Friday Review #29: Anastasia

This was a film I needed to do of as its amazing and so beautiful, it just so happens to be one of my favourites.

This isn't a Disney film firstly not that, that's not a big deal or anything, just need to know as many people assume its Disney, its got Disney Animators but its not the company its made by Don Bluth and 20th Century Fox. Anyway the story is the true story of the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, after her family were fallen and she escaped and was lost. There's a girl called Anya who looks like Anastasia, acts like her, talks like her and she doesn't remember her life from the age of 8 years old, just like the Grand Duchess theres no memory of what happened to her after she was 8 years old. Anya meets Vlad and Dimitri who is a con-man and a former servant to the Tsar, who is convinced Anya is Anastasia. Anya wants to go to Paris, funnily enough that's where Anastasia Grandmother is. So that's where they go, but Rasputin a former servant is greedy and selfish and wants it all for himself. 

What can I say about this film? Other than its brilliant and beautiful all the costumes yes I know its an animation but just adore the costumes so much, and when I was a kid I needed to wear them and now I need to wear them. The animation and artwork of the film is so beautiful and it just looks gorgeous from the scenes in St Petersburg to the scenes in Paris, the difference between the places are just incredible with the humble working class people in St Petersburg during the song A Rumor in St Petersburg which by the way is an amazing song. The decor of the town and the costumes are just wonderful, it just feels real you can really tell where they drew there inspiration from. In Paris the colours the vibrancy of the city is so electric I love that dynamic of the film. 

The music in the film is beautiful, I love Once Upon A December, Learn To Do It, In My Dreams, and Quartet At The Ballet all of the songs are just beautiful and fit so well with the film. I think with musicals a song should be included if there's a realisation of something and with this it does it extremely well. Rumor has it that there going to adapt this film into a Stage Musical which would be just amazing and I can't wait as its an amazing story thats based of History and with beautiful songs and costumes it would just be so unique to have. 

I love the opposites that the film has, its the opposite lifestyles from St Petersburg and Paris, and its got the opposite side of Anya/Anastasia, from her beginning to not knowing who she was to knowing who she was and proud of it, but still remaining true to herself but looking and acting a little more groomed and like a lady. Which does happen to many nerds and people, I say that as she is very relatable to anyone who is going through an identity crisis, not only just that, its relatable to those who are going through a change of some sort and you can interpret that in anyway you want! 

The cast is Meg Ryan as Anastasia, John Cusack as Dimitri, Christopher Lloyd as Rasputin, and Bernadette Peters as Sophie, Anastasia's first cousin and Angela Lansbury as Anastasia's Grandmother, and also Hank Azaria as Bartok, Rasputin's servant. Its so brilliantly casted with the comic relief of it and the tone of each character is brilliant and makes the characters so lifelike. I love Bernadette Peters and Angela Lansbury in this as they are both Stage Actresses and they know about Animation and Musicals, and plus it kinda puts a stamp on the film of being very established. 

                                                             
Regardless of the accuracy behind the history of the story, you should see it as its got gorgeous animation, beautiful costumes and amazing songs it all just works. It sent shivers down my spine when I was a kid and it still does now. I will see you all later and have a good day/weekend. 

Peppermint Friday Review #19: La La Land

I have been meaning to watch this film since I saw the previews and trailers, and songs anything that had anything to do with the film I watched it. I finally saw it on Wednesday night and I just had to do a review on it, as its just soo ahhh.

Oh this film, its so good its my favorite film of 2016 I say that as it came out in December 2016 but that was in USA but I'm still gonna say it was my favorite, as 2016 was pretty eventful so to end it with an amazing musical was amazing I adore musicals already so seeing this film was a no brainer. The story takes place in LA it centres around Mia who is played by Emma Stone and she is a Barista and an Actress, she goes from job to job not getting a big break as such, she then meets Sebastian who is played by Ryan Gosling who is a pianist for a restaurant and  dreams of owning his own jazz bar, they find solace in each other and are determined to conquer their dreams.

The film's songs were all written by Pasek and Paul who I already love, as they did a musical called Edges and I adore them they are the next big thing, I'm telling you all. My favorite songs in the musical are City Of Stars, The Planetarium Dance song was amazing, and Someone In The Crowd aswell. From watching this film I now want a date at a Planetarium, where they just watched the stars, and danced it was so wonderful and romantic.

It was so perfect and romanticly done, I loved the simplicity for it all like there was no pressure for them to get together. Ryan Gosling is now my new crush as he can sing really well, and tap dance. Emma Stone was already talented but even more so after this, she was just fantastic and so beautiful. The chemistry is very similar to that of a couple like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, like I adore the chemistry when there's no need for sex or just screaming with hormones. I love romantic films that has no sex or hormones, I love it when they're just expressing themselves through songs.

Sometimes in a romantic film or scenario all you need is good actors with good chemistry, sometimes that can be just all you need. Thats something I learnt from myself where I prefer romantic films with no sex, you can tell that the inspiration of the film from the music and styling and costumes that its very much inspired from 1940s, 1930s romantic comedies, musicals and that's an era that I just adore and possibly one of my favorites if you didn't tell already. 

I love the costumes and the way its set out, it appears modern and current but also inspired from the colours of the 1940s films, where colour films became much more popular, and the costumes and dresses were just screaming with bright vibrant colours, and it really shines and shows LA as I've heard its a very sunny, beautiful place. The way they incorporated the dresses and clothing is just the best, and perfectly done.

Everyone should watch this film regardless of if you like films or not you need to watch this film. It does have some heartbreaking moments, like all good musicals do. The music is amazing, as are the costumes and Emma and Ryan are so beautiful to watch.

Review: Yankee Doodle Dandy

First of all how incredible was the Golden Globes? I stayed up to watch it as its on very late at night for the UK viewers, but I loved it. Oh and we've had a makeover on Peppermint Friday, what do you think it took me on and off all week, but I'm finally happy with it for now it might change it might not, but at the moment I love it!

Anyway back to the post this week is such a long time coming as I love these men so so much.  Particularly Jimmy, he is amazing but more on the individuals in Wednesday's post. 

Yankee Doodle Dandy is musical biopic of George M Cohan he was a vaudevillian superstar, the best way I can describe him is the old version of Neil Patrick Harris. He was amazing basically he wrote his own songs, he was very business oriented this film is about his family act called 'The Four Cohans' and his career. 

James Cagney (or I call him Jimmy) plays the George and he is brilliant, Jimmy mainly known for being this tough gangster guy but in this film he is a tap dancing, singing charismatic gentlemen. And Jimmy has always had charisma in all his roles regardless of the agenda and typecast of them. Thats one of the reasons as to why I love him so much, I mean Jimmy used to dance as a child, but he is so good everyone needs to see this side of Jimmy.

The songs are so catchy and brilliantly sung, I adore 'Harrigan', 'You're a Grand Old Flag', and of course 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' the film also has a lot of serious bits where George's sister Mary decides she wants to get married and stop performing, and so does their father. At that point in the film its really hard as it just shows that it was George who was the driving force of it all, and had the business behind it all so for him it was a slap in the face of 'oh its all me I have noone to give encouragement too' and in some ways it could be like 'oh yay I'm on my own, and I can bigger and have much more freedom'. As it was George writing all the songs for the shows they were all in. 

I think its an underrated musical as it has very catchy songs, the acting is brilliant and the story touches on some key issues that can be related to any walk of life. Although there are better musicals that have done much better and I can understand why its not done on stage or in schools as the music is yes good but its also seen as abit old fashioned.

Not to say its awful because 'an oldie can be a goldie' which segways perfectly onto the next point of the film which I'm going to talk about and thats being seen as a 'has been' during the end of George's career he is in his garden and they are teenagers nearby and they're talking about music and George mentions he did music all long time ago. The teenagers have no idea who he is and George says well maybe your parents talked about me, and the teenagers still don't know. Its just about being relevant and the worry that not even the people who listen and watch him remember who he is. 

But I adore this film and Jimmy's dancing, and more people should know who is he and love him. Because he is brilliant, charismatic, charming gentlemen he always has been and for those who only know Jimmy for his brilliant badass-ery watch this film, and still be blown away but in a different way. 

Peppermint Friday Review #14: Moana

I know I've said that Doctor Strange was the last film I was gonna see for while in the cinema, but this film ahh couldn't resist, its Disney I got my mum to see it with me and she's not too keen on Disney (yes its crazy) and she loved it, and I need to talk about this film. 

The film is about a girl called Moana and she is the daughter of the Chief of the village on the island of Motunui, and she is about to become the next Chief of the island. Until everything on the island is going rotten and there are no fish, Moana decides to seek out of the island and into the ocean to find Maui who is a demigod and has the heart of the island. Her father is very protective and doesn't want Moana to go into the ocean when thats something she wants to do more than anything. 

Its set in the Polynesian island which is something I love because representation is important, I'm not of Polynesian decent, but I love that theres a character from Disney that girls of that decent can relate to, but in any case regardless of skin colour I guess any girls can relate to Moana or Belle, Ariel, Tiana. I love Moana's special power of controlling the ocean, or the ocean being alive like special friend, or something I don't know. The film was made by the same people who made The Princess and The Frog, and they did a marvelous job with the music and the story, and I can see the similarities of Princess and The Frog and Moana, as Maui and Prince Naveen were born from greatness and they meet a girl who is very headstrong, and independent. They need help as they don't necessarily have the power to be great until they get it back.

One of the biggest things I love about Disney is the music, the music for this film fits so well for the film, its all islandy and relaxed but at the same time strong and powerful. I love 'You're Welcome' which is sung by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, which by the way is such a good singer, like you listen to the song and like all Disney songs it will be in your head all day. The characters I love are Moana, and Maui obviously, and Grandma is so funny, and she loves the ocean like Moana, and she comes from the back of the head in a way. The sidekicks Moana has are so funny and unique, Heihei the rooster doesn't really say anything and he makes me laugh, Tamota the crab is just hysterical, Moana's pig is very cute and funny.

I mean I love this film, and I would see it again not in the cinema because I'm not made of money. But I mean I love the soundtrack, and I guess you can listen to the soundtrack without watching the film, but watch the film cus I loved it. The songs in itself are very much storytelling and enjoyment of the characters. Just go watch this film, its so funny and uplifting. 

Favourite Movie Musicals

Last week I wrote my Favourite Biopics, this week I'm gonna write about my Favourite Movie Musicals. I say Movie because if I wrote about my favourite musicals, we'd be here forever, and plus Movie Musicals are slightly different to musicals on stage, completely different standard.

Sunshine on Leith

This musical is wonderful, the story is amazing I love the characters, and songs in mixed with the story, its a Jukebox musical where they use songs from, The Proclaimers. One of my favorite scenes is where Liz starts telling a story then she turns it into a song ('Over and Done with!') I love the Scottish vibe of it, its just a wonderful musical. It also got screened at Toronto Film Festival. Another of my favourite songs is 'I'm Gonna be (500 Miles) They way they did it, is so unique and wonderful. 

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Everyone knows this musical, but I was obsessed with this film for ages, I adore Magenta, she and Dr Frank N Furter are amazing, although with saying that everyone is amazing and completely owns there parts. I love that its such a cult movie aswell, where you see it being screened and people will dress up as the characters, and its wonderful how its this underdog thing where only theatrical people will take a part of it, but I love all the songs in it, every song you feel like you know all the words. Not to mention Tim Curry is such a talented actor.

Rent

This is a weird one, some people hate it and some people love it. I love it because again its this modern underground kinda thing. Its set in the 90s, its in New York you have lesbians, transgender woman, HIV. Its funny cus it was such a new concept back then, but now we don't see as a big deal. They had all the original cast from Broadway in the Film, which is very good as its done exactly the same just on Film. The songs are amazing, and with Idina Menzal its such an amazing musical, I love 'Take Me Baby Or Leave Me' 'La Vie Bohem' They're such amazing songs.

  

Singin In The Rain

Another musical I used to be obsessed with (and still secretly am) I honestly don't know anyone who hates this film. The dialogue is incredibly unique, the songs are beautiful annnnd it makes me want to do tap dancing! I love everyone in this film, its so witty! I love pretty much all the scenes with Lina and Don. I love all the songs in this film, they're all so catchy.

Meet Me In St Louis

This film is just beautiful, simply because it make Judy Garland look so grown up. Its also such a homey classic, kinda like how I feel when watching any Classic Old Hollywood Movie, thats a light Comedy or Musical. Its directed by Vincent Minnelli who pretty much is the king of directing classic musicals, The color is beautiful for 40s and even now. I just feel so warm and cosy watching this, and personally this is my favorite Judy Garland Film, like I love Wizard of Oz, I just feel like her Acting in this film was just amazing, and better than Wizard Of Oz as in that film. She's a girl and in this one she's a woman, and its completely different, but I love it.

Moulin Rouge

I love this film, its so beautiful and amazing. Just completely original, Not too mention the chemistry between Ewan Mcgregor, and Nicole Kidman is just beautiful. They have such beautiful voices aswell, and I love the eccentricity of the whole film. Baz Lurhman is one of my favourite directors, cus he really does pour his heart into it. Its so Theatrical, and whenever theres a party scene in any of his films, whether it be, this film or Romeo+Juliet, Great Gatsby you feel as an audience member feel as if although you're invited to that party. The songs they used in it are amazing and fit it well with the story. 

Annnnnd there are my favourite Movie Musicals so far. It will change of course.